CRIMINALS IN INFIRMARY

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 45, 17 November 1926, Page 12

CRIMINALS IN INFIRMARY

CONTROLLER-GENERAL OF PRISONS REQUEST HOSPITAL BOARD’S EMPHATIC REFUSAL Dominion Special. Auckland, November 16. A request by me uoutrollcr-Geiieral of L’nsous (Mr. B, L. Dallard) that tile Auckland Hospital Board should couseut to the admission to the Auckland Infirmary ol two elderly prisoners, one aged toll and tile other aged 71 years, was emphatically declined by the board to-night. The board had previously declined to admit the elder of the two prisoners, who was said to be in prison for a sexual offence. The renewed application was made on humanitarian grounds, as prisoner was said to have reached a state of senility, although he was not bad. enough for a mental institution, to which endeavours had been made to have him sent. The other prisoner is at present in prison at Wanganui. Concerning him the Controller-General said that when he was at large be lived, the life of a vagabond. He Was due - for release shortly, and he had announced his intention of entering an infirmary if he could be admitted. He had no relatives to care for him, and it .was suggested that the ihfirniary authorities might care for tlie man in.the'evening of his days. “I move that the board adhere to its previous decision, and decline to accede to the requests,” said the chairman of the board, Mr. W. Wallace “The infirmary is not a place for criminals.”

“It is a place for the old and honest!” interjected Mr. W. A. Thompson.

Mr. Wallace, continuing, said that the board could not allow the home to become a harbour for cases of such a nature. It was the duty of the Government to care for the aged and infirm prisoners, and it must not be allowed to foist them on the ratepayers of Auckland. He was quite sure also that the other old people in the home would resent the admission of men from prisons. The money which had founded the home had been left for the deserving poor, and it would be a disgrace to allow the admission of cases such as were then before the board. ■ " -' :

“What is to become of these old people ?” asked Mr. M. J. Coyle. “That is a matter for the Government,” Mr Wallace replied A year ago representations had been made on the subject to the Government, and although the Minister of Health had said he would look into the matter, nothing had been done. If the board took the two cases under review it would have to take them all.

All members supported the chairman, and the motion was carried.